English Explanatory Dictionary

gorilla

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An ape of the genus Gorilla; endemic to the forests of Central Africa and typified by superlative physical size and strength in relation to other primates.
  2. A big and brutish man or a thug; a goon or ruffian.
  3. A powerful person or organization; a heavyweight or behemoth.
  4. 1000 pounds sterling or dollar.

Pronunciation

/ɡəˈɹɪl.ə/ /ɡɒˈɹɪl.ə/ en-us-gorilla.ogg

Word forms

gorilla gorillas golira

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Γόριλλαι (Górillai, “Gorillai (a tribe of hairy women)”), described by Hanno the Navigator, a Carthaginian navigator and possible visitor to the area that later became Sierra Leone; the Greek word is likely from Punic, and ultimately from an African language.

Related words

Godzilla Gorillai

Derived words

800-pound gorilla 800-pound gorilla in the room buffarilla Chicagorilla eastern gorilla golira gorillagram gorilla in the room gorillalike gorilla pimp gorilla press gorilla salad Gorilla Sign Language gorilla suit gorilless gorillian gorillion gorilloid mountain gorilla sherilla weregorilla western gorilla
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